Word: orbit
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...then, suddenly, it increased. In August 1957 the Soviets fired their first ICBM, and the oceans narrowed from thousands of miles to 30 minutes. The continental U.S. came within reach of a distant enemy firing from his own shore. On Oct. 4 that same year. Sputnik I soared into orbit. Official Washington, once it got over the shock, set about finding effective ways to respond to the increased Russian capabilities...
...Suddenly I saw what appeared to be a bright star with a gaseous-appearing halo, elliptical in shape," said Captain H. Lanier Turner. "But right away I could see it was moving, and I judged it to be an ICBM, or something the Russians were trying to put in orbit...
Soon after reaching their orbit, the two satellites detached themselves from the second-stage rocket. A small explosion separated the satellites themselves, and a spring pushed them apart at about one mile per hour. Their radio transmitters kept sounding loud and clear...
...earth. The Transit navigation system is built on the fact that radio waves received from a satellite change their frequency as the satellite passes a ship or ground station. From that change, the instant when the satellite is closest can easily be determined. And since the satellite's orbit can be calculated far in advance, the almost-precise position of the ship receiving its signals can thereby be fixed. Last week a test of the system worked with extraordinary accuracy. Although the latest Transit lacked parts that will be ultimately carried, the Navy's tracking vessel, Observation Island...
...satellite hitchhiker was a space Cinderella. Originally intended to be taken aloft by the U.S.'s ill-fated Vanguard, it was left forlornly on earth when the Vanguard program was discontinued. Rescued by Transit, it is now on a beautiful orbit that will probably keep it up for 50 years. Its instruments are sending information about solar ultraviolet and X rays, which do not pass through the earth's atmosphere but have effects on its upper layers. Data from the Cinderella satellite may explain radio blackouts and some kinds of weather...